• Home
• About
• Live Video
• Game
• Photo Gallery
• Contact Us

• Breaking News
• Campus
• Local Coverage
• National
• Video News
• Voting

Young voters ‘had a huge impact’

Sen. Barack Obama won the presidency Tuesday night, and the University of Nevada, Reno may have played a role in that win.

“Young voters and students in Nevada had a huge impact on this election,” said Jeff Giertz, the Nevada deputy communications director for Obama for America. “Their level of excitement was higher in this election than in any I’ve been part of, than any in recent memory.”

According to CNN.com, exit polls showed that 67 percent of Nevada voters aged 18 to 29 voted for Obama and 32 percent for Sen. John McCain. That age group made up 17 percent of total Nevada voters.

“History has shown that the younger voter registers,” said Kathy Carter, community relations director for the Washoe County Registrar of Voters. “However, only one in four typically does vote. What we are seeing this year, though, is that yes, the younger voters are coming out.”

According to statistics from the Washoe County Registrar, the number of registered voters aged 18 to 24 in the county reached a record high of 26,478. Almost 11,000 registered with the Democratic Party.

Carter said that the UNR campus has “greatly facilitated” the ability of youth to vote in this election.

Obama took notice of UNR early in the election, visiting the campus once during the primaries and twice during the regular election.

“Washoe County and Northern Nevada were very important areas in this election,” Giertz said. “The purpose of the visits was to energize the youth vote.”

The power of the youth vote in Washoe County has garnered national attention.

As the only major university in a swing state’s swing county, UNR has piqued the interest of national media outlets.

CBS News’ Youth Vote Blog quoted the UNR campus newspaper, the Nevada Sagebrush, on the power of the young registered voters in the swing county of a swing state.

“In Washoe County alone, 26,478 youth voters are registered—almost 20,000 more than President Bush’s victory margin in 2004,” the article stated.

The Huffington Post took notice of the student vote, stating in one article that “UNR could be the key to the White House.”

Story by Colleen Hagen

Youth vote is seen across the nation

Reporter Jennie Lindquist talks with Obama national student campaigner Rachel Marshall about the youth vote throughout the United States.

 

 Youth campaigner [1:34m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

All eyes are on Nevada’s young voters

The power of the youth vote in Washoe County has garnered national attention this election. 

As the only major university in our swing state’s swing county, the University of Nevada, Reno has piqued the interest of national media outlets.

CBS News’ Youth Vote Blog quoted the University of Nevada, Reno campus newspaper, the Nevada Sagebrush, on the power of  young voters in the state.

“In Washoe County alone, 26,478 youth voters are registered—almost 20,000 more than President Bush’s victory margin in 2004,” the article stated.

The Huffington Post  took notice of the student vote, stating in one article that “UNR could be the key to the White House.”

Coverage on this site tonight will focus on the Nevada youth impact as the election results unfold.

By Colleen Hagen 

Early precinct reports

May Museum Rancho San Rafael Park – 9.15 a.m.
By Florence De Vrye

The area around the museum was almost empty on this Election Day. Outside, a group of people offered free coffee to the few voters who showed up on this cold morning.

But the wintry weather did not chill Shannon Cassidy’s enthusiasm for her first election. She left the polling place with a big smile.

“It was the first time I could vote, said Cassidy, an 18 year-old Republican. “I was really excited and it is a good feeling that for the first time my voice counted.”

Aurora Delarosa came to vote at the museum because she said that she believes that the country needs a change.

“I need to do that for my kids,” said Delarosa, a Democrat from Reno. “I don’t want them living in a country like this one. The best thing I can do is voting today because my voice can change something.”

Katherine Hills agreed.

“Our country needs a change,” said Hills, a Democrat from Reno who voted for Obama today. “The country needs to review those old laws especially about the financial regulation if we want the country’s economy to be better off.”

Early Tuesday morning, McQueen High School
By Zack Madonick

The cold weather and snow could not stop voters this morning at Robert McQueen High School. Although not crowded, many people came to vote for who they believed should be in office.

The atmosphere was one of excitement and the word “change” was in the air. It was apparent that there were voters for both presidential candidates.

“I voted for McCain because he has a long history in Senate and in Congress, and on top of that he is a very decorated soldier,” said John Howitt, 38, of Reno.

Although there were differing opinions on who should be in office, everyone agreed that there will be a change in the future.

“I believe that there is going to be change either way,” Howitt said.

Bartley Ranch — 10:10 a.m.
By Jared Lowell

People rushed from their cars into the old schoolhouse to cast their votes on this cold, windy morning.

Inside, things had settled down from the early morning rush, but you could still feel the excitement of the election from the voters. Many even brought their children along for a first hand look at the voting process.

One of those very excited voters left the school house smiling and holding his daughter’s hand.

“There was not one particular issue local or otherwise that brought me here I am just really excited about this election. This country hasn’t had an election this important in many years and the outcome will bring significant changes with it,” said Jack Fleming a 42-year-old Democrat.

Fleming voted for Obama.

“I really hope he wins,” he said. “I think he can do a lot to get this country back on its feet.”

Another Obama hopeful, Rachel Thorn, a 20-year-old independent, was full of smiles because she was a first-time voter.

“I am so happy I was able to vote in this election because it is such a big deal and I am a huge Obama supporter,” Thorn said.
“I voted for Obama because I think he has the interests of my generation in mind and he wants to stop the war. I don’t think McCain cares as much about the younger generations and all the debt we are inheriting.”

Northwest Library, Robb Drive – 9:05 a.m.
By Chris Coleman

There was a chill in the air and a light dusting of snow could be see on the near by foothills surrounding the library.  Inside the building felt like the calm before the storm; poll workers eagerly waited for the crowds to start piling in.  Voters were in and out, quickly, without having to wait in line.

Cheryl Sprague came out of the library and was headed back to work.  “I came down to vote for Barak Obama”, said Sprague, a Democrat from Reno.

Sprague was also interested in the local issue regarding Washoe County Schools.  “I would rather see our schools get the money than the prisons,” she said.

“I voted for Obama,” said Adrian Hicks, an independent from Reno.

Copyright © 2007 Election 2008 | University of Nevada, Reno · Revolution News theme by Brian Gardner · Log in